Last weekend saw Dartford host Bognor Regis Town at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park. Dartford FC Women defender Abbey Davies featured in our matchday programme that afternoon. For those who missed it, here is the full article:
SECTION ONE
Abbey Davies was signed by Connor Dymond and Martin McCarthy in the summer, after her impressive second spell with Ashford United Ladies last season. Having returned from University, the young left-back (who is equally as comfortable playing as a left central defender in a back three) was a vital part of Ashford’s defence where she made 25 appearances and scored twice In the league.
Now, the 23-year-old intends to cement her place in the Dartford FC Women’s defensive unit and make herself invaluable to the team. And she’s certainly going the right way about it, having made eleven appearances (eight starts) and scoring once already to help her new team’s title challenge in the London & South-East Regional Women’s Football League.
Despite her busy schedule and work commitments, Abbey found the time to sit down for a chat via WhatsApp and was in good spirits…
“Hi Chris, I’m good thank you! Hope you are too!” (I am, thanks Abbey!)
She continues, “Playing for Dartford this season has been great so far. All the girls have been very welcoming and it’s like one big family.”
Yes, it certainly is like one big family! But, it’s also highly competitive and ambitious too, which are what attracted Abbey to join the club.
“Yes, I signed because I wanted a new challenge. When I spoke with Connor and Macca before making my decision, it was evident that the club’s aims and ambitions fitted with what I wanted to achieve as well. When playing against Dartford last season, it was always a tough game and a battle, but they were always well-organised and kept going until the end of the ninety minutes. I think that, if you ask any of us in the team, our ambitions will be the same. Obviously, it’s to win the league. However, we are focusing on one game at a time, and taking each week as it comes. I would also like to get to a final in a cup competition too!”
Ah, yes! The ladies have been rewriting the history books during recent seasons, especially when it comes to cup competitions. Unfortunately, they didn’t progress in the FA Cup as far as they’d have liked, but they do still remain in the League Cup.
Yet, this current incarnation of the squad is still gelling as a unit, which might explain the early cup exit. Or, is the focus solely on winning and being promoted from the London & South-East Regional Women’s Football League?
The answer to that must certainly remain behind closed doors for now. But, in a bid to achieve success, one must remain as mentally and physically fit as possible. How does Abbey maintain her levels of fitness and general wellbeing?
“I like to keep on top of my fitness outside of football by going to the gym, doing weight training, and also throwing in the odd run now and again. To keep on top of my general wellbeing, I spend time with family and friends. I try to do things that I enjoy, which mainly consists of eating food and, if I’m not playing sport, I’ll be watching it instead.”
She continues, “I’m a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist in the NHS outside of football, so balancing working and playing football can be difficult Chris. This is especially the case as I’m not particularly local to Dartford so, on training evenings, I tend to get home fairly late. I definitely don’t mind though, as I do it because I enjoy it!
“Then, if we aren’t training in the evening, I’ll usually just keep myself fit by going to the gym after work.”
Like many of her teammates, Abbey’s football journey began in a boys’ team…
“Yes, I started playing for a boy’s football team when I was 4-years-old, as there weren’t many girls teams around where I lived. I then got picked up by an academy, and I was with them from the ages of about 6-9. I was living near Wales at the time so, when I moved to Kent at the age of ten, I didn’t join an academy. I just joined a local team.”
That local team was Ashford Angels. She then moved to Bromley Green, where she played at U13-U15 levels, before moving to Ashford United Ladies. However, she went away to University where she played for their team as well as Hashtag United simultaneously, before she returned to Ashford United Ladies after her studies.
Looking back, does she think her short time in the Academy helped her career progression?
“If I’m being completely honest Chris, I’m not sure whether academy football helped me. I’m sure it helped in terms of being coached better. But, where the academy was quite far from where we lived, I just remember it being a lot of travelling during the weeks, and games used to be hours away on the weekends!
“I did have aspirations of becoming a professional player at one stage for sure. However, where women’s football wasn’t necessarily as big as it is now, I chose a career instead.”
As she’s already mentioned, Abbey works in the NHS as a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist. But, she has big plans for her future…
“In terms of the future in terms of playing football, I’m not sure to be honest Chris. My plan for my career is to go into the RAF as a physiotherapist, and I’m able to apply for that in about a year’s time. So, my future in football will depend on what happens with that. My immediate hope going forward with Dartford, is to be a part of the team that wins the league!”
Is she happy with how things have panned out so far?
“Yeah, I can say that I am happy with how my playing career has panned out so far. The only thing that I possibly would have changed, was to aspire to aim a bit higher when I first moved down to Kent.”
Well, sometimes things happen for a reason. And, as I’m sure you’ll all agree, we certainly wish Abbey every success going forward with her RAF application, as well as success on the field in Dartford colours.
And as our conversation draws to a close, does Abbey have any final words for the Dartford faithful?
“I do, yes Chris… I just want to say thank you on behalf of myself and, I’m sure all of the players too, for continuing to coming and watching us! Your support is always needed, so thank you!”
SECTION TWO
Faith or Superstition?
Superstition.
Favourite Food?
Nando’s.
Favourite Drink?
Pepsi Max.
TV Series or Film?
TV Series.
Music or Podcast?
Music.
Sporting Hero?
Probably Steven Gerrard as a Liverpool fan.
Non-Sporting Hero?
My parents for sure!
Do you follow any other sports besides football?
Mainly football to be honest, however I’ll occasionally look at golf if I’ve got the chance to.
Biggest influence in the dressing room?
I think everyone plays their role in the changing room but, if I had to pick one person, it probably would be Lizzie Adams. She is the definition of a team player and tries to get every player motivated every week without fail.
What football players, past or present, would make up your dream five-a-side team?
Mary Earps (PSG)
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Steven Gerrard (ex-Liverpool)
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
Thierry Henry (ex-Arsenal)
By Chris Palmer